SIMPSON, PTE DAVID - Regimental # 657801
David Simpson was born Dec. 18, 1882 in Fairholme, the son of Oliver James and Harriet (Jarell) Simpson of Fairholme. At the time of his enlistment on March 27, 1916 at Burks Falls, David was married and had eight children (3 boys and 5 girls).
David James Simpson
David arrived in England on November 11, 1916 on the SS Caronia and in December was transferred from the 162nd to the 36th Battalion in France and then to the 2nd Pioneers. He landed in France on December 28, 1916.
In July, 1918 he was reported in the 6th Battalion, Canadian Engineers as a ‘sapper’[1].
May 19, 1919 sailed from Liverpool. His date of discharge was May 29, 1919.
The 6th Battalion and the 2nd Canadian Pioneers were part of the 2nd Canadian Division which during 1918 took part in: the First Battle of Arras 1918 (a phase of the First Battles of the Somme 1918); the Battle of Amiens and actions around Damery; the Battle of the Scarpe (a phase of the Second Battles of Arras 1918); the Battle of Cambrai (a phase of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line); the pursuit to the Selle; and, the Battle of the Sambre, notably the passage of the Grand Honelle. The Division was selected to advance into Germany but demobilization commenced in late 1918. The last elements returned home in May 1919. (from the website: The Long Long Trail)
[1] A number of the soldiers from this area became part of Engineering Battalions and were called ‘sappers’. A sapper, also called pioneer or combat engineer, is a combatant or soldier who performs a variety of military engineering duties, such as breaching fortifications, demolitions, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, preparing field defenses, and road and airfield construction and repair. They are also trained to serve as infantry personnel in defensive and offensive operations. A sapper's duties are devoted to tasks involving facilitating movement, defense and survival of allied forces, and impeding those of enemies. (Wikipedia)
